Lighting feedback Please

Cliff · #1 10-26-2010, 10:36 PM

Thank-you very much guys for taking the time to help me !!!!!

This has been very helpful for me.

I'm thinking I will be building a canopy so I'm leaning towards a 8 bulb T5. I never realized there was sssssoooooo many different bulbs out there.

I have to watch for a good deal out there.

Thanks again guys

Myka · #2 10-27-2010, 02:36 AM

Check out the Tek retrofit kits then if you're building a canopy. More lights for cheaper, plus you still get the good Tek reflectors. Make sure to incorporate some good-sized fans in the canopy and you will have a great setup for a modest price. The retrofit kits mount right into our canopy without using a fixture. They are easier to keep cool, and perform better because of it imo.

Keeping budget in mind, you could always buy half your bulbs used, and half your bulbs new. Then every 4 months replace the old half. That way you're only replacing 3-4 bulbs at a time, and the corals won't get shocked by new (brighter) bulbs when you swap out. Also, buying some used bulbs will give you an idea of which bulbs you like, and which ones you don't without costing you $25-35 each like new ones.

Cliff · #3 10-27-2010, 02:50 AM

Myka, how easy are they to wire ?

Looking at them on-line, they don't look to hard.

I'm no electrician by any stretch of the imagination, but I like to think I'm pretty handy. I think I'm going to look into this a little more. I'll start cycling the tank soon so I'll have a lot of time to work on lighting.

Thanks Myka

ElGuappo · #4 10-27-2010, 02:57 AM

when it comes to fans i managed to find a way to use 4 computer fans with monitor, temp probes etc for under 200.. no wiring at all. just plugs.... see my build for more info..

Myka · #5 10-27-2010, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliff

Myka, how easy are they to wire ?

If you're referring to the T5 retrofits kits, then they are really easy to wire. They come with colored wiring diagrams, and you just follow along. It's only 4 or 6 connections if I remember right, and they come with everything you need. Fans are easy to wire too, but ElGuappo's plug'n'play ones sound hella awesome!